View Full Version : Wish me luck! Getting f##### by gas prices.
wpvboat
09-02-2005, 08:01 AM
Well, I'm on my way to the New River out near Pulaskin tommorrow morning. I'm driving a Chevy Blazer. Anyone want to guess how much gas $$$ it will take to get there and back? The truck gets about 15 mpg. I'm guessing about $140 and it's just me, everyone else is coming from NC. F###! I hope the fishing is good!
I'm going on a family trip up there to camp for 3 days and fish for smallmouth. I'll let you all know how we did. We usually get plenty of smaller ones but I'm hoping to get on a decent size one this year.
Tom
Cory ruthless Routh
09-02-2005, 09:22 AM
Turn off your A/C and youll get about 19/20mpg. I have a full sized Blazer 1993, and I am going to get the exhaust dualed next week, I should get about 22 hgy after that.
wpvboat
09-02-2005, 09:36 AM
It's the little Blazer but still bad mpg. I think I will turn off the A/C since I'm leaving at 3am. I used to have a 2wd that got better gas mileage but this 4x4 has a different gear ratio. It's actually my mom's, I had to borrow it because where we are going you can't get there is a 2wd. Well, you might get there but if it rained, you would never get out. Then the river rises and goodbye truck!
naked goby
09-02-2005, 10:25 AM
The "experts" on tv last week said that ac doesn't affect gas milage unless you are sitting in stop and go traffic.
naked goby
09-02-2005, 11:26 AM
A test Edmunds did..
Test #2: Effect of A/C On, Windows Up vs. A/C Off, Windows Down Result: Mixed
This has got to take you back to the days with the family on vacation. Dad says, "Turn the A/C off! It wastes gas!" And Mom says, "We can't roll the windows down or everyone on the highway will think we can't afford A/C." And you're in the back roasting, hoping someone will win the argument so you can cool off.
Well, family psychology aside, Dad wasn't necessarily right. While the A/C compressor does pull power from the engine wasting some gas, the effect appears to be fairly minimal in modern cars. And putting the windows down tends to increase drag on most cars, canceling out any measurable gain from turning the A/C off. But this one depends on the model you're driving. Still, in our experience, it's not worth the argument because you won't save a lot of gas either way. So just do what's comfortable.
wpvboat
09-02-2005, 12:33 PM
Ok, thanks Calvin, now I can at least be comfortable and broke. There should be plenty of drag anyway with the two kayaks on top of the truck!
I just found out that one of my brother in laws that was supposed to go with me is going to Mississippi instead to help with hurricane relief.
Cory ruthless Routh
09-02-2005, 05:41 PM
Those 4.3 v-6s have worse gas milage than the 350 v-8's. I had a S-10 blazer befor I got the K1500.
BBCroaker
09-03-2005, 12:03 PM
I run my F-150 with AC on Max and fan setting higher.That way it recirculates the air and I can cut the Temp. setting back to where the compressor doesn't run as much.Don't know yet if it saves on gas or not.
Looks like it should.
Linstad
09-03-2005, 07:12 PM
The a/c compressor takes engine horsepower, wich takes fuel to create. As far as it giving you a 3-4 MPG boost in fuel economy, I doubt it. And extra drag caused by opening the windows? It is a blazer, kinda like a cereal box with wheels on it, aerodynamics arent going to really be an issue.[wink]
Chris from ND...
JLannon
09-04-2005, 03:17 AM
Cory ruthless Routh originally wrote:
Those 4.3 v-6s have worse gas milage than the 350 v-8's. I had a S-10 blazer befor I got the K1500.
Ditto.................4.3 is a sweet engine, but its pulling a heavier vehicle weight to horse power ratio than a full size Blazer with a V-8. The V-8 in a full size works alot easier than a 4.3 in a S-10 Blazer. I own both and my full size truck gets better mileage than the wifes Blazer. She has the 4.3 Vortec.
Dont waste your money on a 4 cyl. engine either in a American made truck............they suck gas badly compared to thier Japanese counterparts. The 4.3 will get about the same mileage due to the same weight to horse power ratio.
Only way to save gas with a Blazer/PU truck.
1. Tires..........keep em pumped up.
2. Keep the air filter clean, clean, and clean.
3. Try to stay 60mph and below.
4. If you can, try not to CITY drive with them(daily basis)
5. Run the lightest weight oil that the manufacturer recommends
6. A/C will use a little more gas on the highway(5-10%). But it sure beats being sweatty all day to save a few bucks on a longer trip.
If you want better MPG, take your yak off the roof and put it in the hatchback or on a LIGHT aluminum trailer. Don't drive over 70.